Melrose House

Melrose House is an elegant mansion that was built in 1886 by the wealthy Pretoria businessman George Jesse Heys.

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An example of the transition from Victorian to Edwardian architectural styles and interiors, the mansion is a popular historic museum that offers visitors guided tours by appointment, a clay tennis court, a reference library and a Tea Garden.

The house was named after the famous Melrose Abbey in Scotland. British architect W.T. Vale designed the house and supervised its building, which was completed in 1887.

Melrose House gained fame during the Second Boer War when Pretoria fell to the British forces under Lord Roberts, Commander-in-Chief, and he requisitioned the house as the British Headquarters. The Heys family moved out of the house and went to stay with friends nearby for the duration of the War.

The house served as military headquarters until the 31st of May 1902, when the Treaty of Vereeniging, which ended the war, was signed there.

One of the most perfectly preserved examples of a Victorian home in South Africa, the interior of the house is characterised by beautiful stained glass windows, carpets in rich colours, elegant fireplaces, as well as valuable porcelain ornaments. The majority of these items belonged to the Heys family.

An Antique Fair is held every year on the 1st of May and the 16th of December every year.

Address: The front gate of Melrose House is on Jeff Masemola Street (old Jacob Mare Street), directly opposite the main gate of Burgers Park. Parking for visitors is available at 280 Scheiding Street, on the southern side of Melrose House.